Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1887-01-20

you can get the child to understand number
by its concept OF the figure '3' bsiore you.
IL is only by association Of concepts, which
is the office OF words, that is TO convey
them. Objects would be safer than figures
to explain number. Then followed an ami
mated discussion upon the terms abstract
and concrete. Professor Balliett said he
would recommend introducing sim ple ftac-
tt1ns in the primary grades. Some ques-
tioning wns then put 70 the leader upon
miscellaneous matters, the criticisms upon
which evoked Interesting replies. In regard
to defining Professor BaIliett thought the
most valuable phase OF def
milton its pertinency and lrevity.
For instance, the boy who defined velocity
as "thet with which man sets II hot plate
down had an element Of suitability In his
definition not found in Jobnson's OF the
word network "--anythlngaretic or
deeussated with interstices OF equal dis
tainees between the interstiees; or that OF
evolution" as a "change from an indefi-
mite, incoherent homogeneity to a definite
coherent heterogenefty through continuous
difrerentiations aud integrations The lat
ter translated info Saxon, might be "evo-
tuition is change from a no-how-ish,
untalk. about-able all-alike ness, to some
how-ish and general-talk-about-tbl not
all-alfke-ness, through continuous some
thing else'ihcations and stlck.together-
atives.
The secretary, Miss M. r. L. Wlthers, then
read an Invitation from Wilmington Com
narcial College to the emembers Of the insti-
tute.
DR. French next appeared and announced
that the publishers Of Webster's Unabridged
Dictionary had, In reply to his request,
offered one OF their standard editions as a
prize to whichever memher of tia New
Castle County Teachers Destitute lid the
best IN H spelling contest of 80 words.
Dr. French stated the rules of The con-
test would allow of each word to b. called
out distinctly twice. "pll furnish the
voice." said the speaker, "and you the ears.
There must be no communication nor look
Ing over one another's papers. You know
OF that interesting psychological feet that
Intelligence runs down from the brain to
the elbow, In most strangely unacconnt-
able way sometimes. Elbows mee' that is
OF neighbors, and there Is an oucul es,ilt.
[Laughter.l 80 do not allow you elbows
TO touch ooe another too closely. j gin all
words with capitals. Write compound
words correctly. Dot every "in ser the
81" aud cross every st" An undo -sd 'in
as well as an uncrossed ''tn is a p,stake.
Make no erasures or interlineations It con.
demns the word. The list is selected from
the Philadelphia Press OF Tuesday lust,
with the exception of one word. SO you
see the words are all Of common use.
Following is the list: Develop, jainmed,
ShS1PtaScAAS hinuOiRhINout puDutDull, GOu-
scientious, millionaire, marionette, pa
raiysis, biennial, confectionery, competitive,
Cincinnati, reciprocity, discernible, prIvi-
leges, geodesy, employed, Ericsson, epis-
copaey, inaugurate, incurred, trafflekers,
mutilated, piquant, pneumonia, referee,
oleomnrgartne, court-martlal, ephemeral,
venue, reelection, conferrees, Heidelberg,
tobogganning. schuylklll sergeant-at. arms,
likelihood, affiliate, exchangeable, install
ment, condescension, Indispensable, Reho-
both, analyzed, centennial, veterinary,
rheumatism, ad valorem, seismic.
The following committee was appointed
to judge upon the spelling: Charles Baird
and L. B. Jones OF the city Board OF Educa-
ton, Prof. Ballet of Reading, State Super
intendent 4. N. Williams and Assistant
Superintendent H. @. Carpenter.
Superintendent Williams then introduced
Mr.. Baird who briefly thanked the institute
for the honor conferred upon the fellow
members OF the committee and himself,
adding that with the help OF q dictionary
and Or. Frenoh's list Of words he would en-
deavor to do impartial Justice 10 the ease.''
Adjournment was made until O'Clock
Saturday morninp